Our Glorious Food System

We talk a lot these days about voter fraud, medical program fraud, and financial fraud (all very real), but we also have FOOD FRAUD that is rampant. Here are some findings from our northern neighbor, but you can bet the good ole USA has even more with our much greater purchases and consumption. Did you possibly eat get a cheaper talipia for that fancy red snapper you ordered? Stats say it happens about half the time! A recent study in Chicago restaurants indicated that 71% of salmon tested was fraudulent. Now, I bet you will think about this next time you go out to eat (or even bring it home to prepare from the grocery).

Seafood fraud: Why you may be eating different fish than you ordered Studies show diners may be getting a completely different, usually cheaper fish than the one they ordered -- and it's happening in quite a few Chicago restaurants.

You may have heard in the news that the FDA (under the Health and Human Services agency) is reconsidering the GRAS process and will likely make significant changes to how food additives are designated or approved. Many forget that food contact surfaces and/or materials, such as packaging components, are part of this consideration.

Are They Going to Cut the GRAS? Proposed changes to the Generally Recognized As Safe framework could create new compliance, reporting, and operational challenges for the food packaging industry.

In this "food processing portion of FDSCI 202, we talk about how various commodities are processed into the broad spectrum of food products we find on the supermarket shelves. Often, this means that various ingredients and additives are utilized for an array of purposes -- including colorants, flavorings, preservatives, bleaching, stabilizers, and other things. This article talks about the new push to eliminate "ultra-processed" foods from the American diet. What are your thought? Are you willing to sacrifice some of the foods you currently enjoy?

The companies most exposed to consumer UPF concerns Report identifies Oatly, The Hershey Co. and Flowers Foods as most vulnerable.

Are those fresh food items like meat, produce and juices always the best and most nutritious?

Some say frozen foods are becoming healthier FROZEN FOODS ARE MAKING A COMEBACK AND THIS TIME FAMILIES SAY IT'S ...

In the mass media markets to day, we are overwhelmed by the number of "miracle" substances to give us good health in a pill. Do we really need all of these supplements to have our health?

What doctors want patients to know about vitamins and supplements With more than 100,000 different supplements available, it is unclear what is safe to take. Three physicians aim to clear things up about vitamins and supplements.

AI is starting to become immediately recognizable in many parts of our daily lives. A big trend is AI in quick serve restaurants for taking orders at drive through windows. Have you experienced this yet? I've even watched videos of robots with AI taking orders inside the restaurant. Not sure I'm ready for this, but I'm a dinosaur. I believe it's here to stay...like it or not.

The Uncanny Valley of Voice AI at the Drive-Thru - The Food Institute Why do AI drive-thrus feel unsettling? QSRs see gains in speed and accuracy, but consumers remain wary of voice AI.

https://farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/06/trump-says-us-not-looking-to-renew-usmca-trade-agreement/

Dr. Kastner recently lectured on international trade in food and ag products. There is big discussions upcoming about renewal of the USMCA and this could have significant impact on several things.

Trump Says US 'Not Looking to Renew' USMCA Trade Agreement - Farm Policy News President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S. might not renew its free trade agreement ​with Canada and Mexico and criticized trade deficits with those countries, ‌although he said he was talking with their leaders about the matter.

The New World Screw Worm threat is real, and has now crossed our southern border. What will this do to the meat processing industry and other cattle sectors in the U.S.? https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BUunf1MQS/

First U.S. suspected case of New World screwworm reported in South Texas The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the suspected case on Wednesday, one day after Secretary Brooke Rollins said the parasitic fly was 25 miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Labeling is such a key feature of all food products, from safety, nutrition, quality, production and processing, and merchandising. Things are getting better technology-wise in the labeling area.

Kroger confirms 'barcode scanning' change hitting 1,230 stores KROGER is implementing a major barcode update across 1,230 stores this spring to improve the checkout process. The move from the supermarket giant comes amid several changes, including the closure …